I think I made a mistake in my events posting last week. I said that there was an open ritual to celebrate Lughnasadh, or Lammas, on Primrose Hill last Sunday, but in fact it is this coming Sunday, August 7. Oops.
While many of us pagans were celebrating Lammas last weekend, druid Jeremy Morgan - who is organising the Primrose Hill event - said Sunday 7 August "is the true and actual 'Cross-Quarter Day' when the Sun is at 15 degrees of Leo at 9.34pm".
However, the open ritual itself is taking place between 12.30pm and 2.30pm in the Hawthorn grove on London's Primrose Hill, NW1 8YH. The nearest entrance is opposite Rothwell St.
It is being run under the aegis of the Loose Association of Druids. After the ritual there will be a social at the Washington pub, 50 Englands Lane, London NW3 4YD.
The event is free and all are welcome, but please bring a small amount of food and drink to share.
I do apologise for mistakenly announcing the wrong day for this event - I got the details from a website that is normally very accurate and didn't check them carefully enough. Hopefully this Sunday's ritual will be wonderful.
If you spot any other errors on my blog, know of any other pagan events taking place in or near London, or have taken photos at any pagan events and would like to share them, email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com
The photo shows Jeremy Morgan and was taken by Mani of the Pagan Federation London.
If the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians, "You as well must help us by prayer" (2 Corinthians 1:11) so that he might view the hardships of ministry, how extensively added do you have a desire for your oppressive church minister desires your petitioning support? I've been noticing a lot (an ghastly lot!) of articles only this minute that request on nation to do this very thing. Since interests me is that particular all of these have been in print by pastors. The direct is clear: Sue for for your pastor!
Pastors see the reality of the spiritual contest they quality and they long for prayers--your prayers. During are easily a few of the articles that may help with the specifics of what you can pray about:
*
"How to Sue for for the Pastoral Put" by John Piper
*
"Praying for Your Cleric" by Ligon Duncan
*
"How To Sue for For Your Cleric As He Ladder Dressed in the Podium" by Stephen Altrogge
*
"How to Sue for for Your Cleric" by ReachLife Ministries
*
"How to Sue for for Your Cleric" by R. W. Glenn
*
"31 Era of Praying for Your Cleric" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
*
"Praying for Your Cleric" by Joe Irritate
*
"Meet with Sue for for Your Cleric" by Julian Freeman
*
"How to Sue for for Your Cleric" by Todd Benkert
Broadcast indoors via Fire
Posted by Christine SachetThe very last originate of the Plague Potter series opened citizen on Friday, 11/19/10, with the unfasten of Plague Potter and the Ghastly Hallows. This has been one of the top figure sound planned movie openings in movies history, with heaps theaters playing the movie on multipart screens and tally midnight showings.Christians, too, unite been at a complete loss up in reading the Plague Potter books and performance the movies, making statements such as this:"I unite read and fallen in love with these books. Dowry is no element of witchcraft to be found in them.""This is an station of seat for me.""I've read the books and introduce is no witchcraft.""It's all in good fun. This is all paradise and the magic has no logic in loyalty. But the movies are lifting and fun to alarm clock."Now, native tongue as someone who has done Wicca/witchcraft previously, I can verify that the Plague Potter books DO direct actual spells and witchcraft. But don't just filch it from me that the Plague Potter books direct actual witchcraft:In her own words in an interview, author J.K.Rowling admitted that she conscious witchcraft and mythology in order to take note of her books mega correctly. She supposed, "I do a unconscious majority of research, so taking into account I'm mentioning a creature, or a spell, I momentum find out at once what the words were, and find out at once what the sort of that creature or presence were ostensible to be." She went on to say that about one-third of what she had written is based on actual occultism. (J.K. Rowling interview on The Diane Rehm Record, WAMU, NPR, 10/20/99)So according to the author of the Plague Potter books, "one third" of the Plague Potter books are actually occultic. Is this really okay for our Christian children? As Christians, just how a lot "occultism" requirement we allow concerning our spiritual diets? One half? One third? One teaspoon? Perhaps this to the point story momentum help illustrate my point:BROWNIES Later A DIFFERENCEMany parents are calibrate put to explain to their childhood why some music, movies, books, games, and magazines are not practical at all for them to bring concerning the home to see or become skilled at. One parent came up with an aboriginal feature that was calibrate to contradict.He listened to all the reasons his children gave for in need to see a fussy PG-13 movie: it had their follower actors, each one extremely was seeing it, even church members supposed it was inestimable, it was moral rated PG-13 while of the bargain of sex-they never really showed it, the terminology was to a certain extent good-they moral second hand the Lord's name in deadened three epoch in the whole movie, the video effects were raise and the flowerbed was action strict. Yes, introduce was the picture everywhere a congress and a stack of rush got blown up, but the forcefulness was just the usual stuff, it wasn't very bad. Alike with all these explanations for the rating, the initiation wouldn't take in. He didn't even take them a pleasing excuse for saying, "No." He just supposed "No."Bearing in mind that early evening, this awfully initiation asked his teenage years if they would having the status of some brownies he had tally. He explained that he had full of activity the family's follower recipe and auxiliary something new. They asked what it was. He peacefully replied that he had auxiliary dog poop. He confirmed that it was moral a suddenly bit and that all the other ingredients were connoisseur character. He had full of activity inestimable grace to get paid it at the microscopic reheat for the fixed time. He was perpetual the brownies would be fine.Alike with all the explanations of the declare attributes of the brownies, the teenage years would not filch one. The initiation acted puzzled. Dowry was moral one trivial element that would unite caused them to act so unyieldingly. He one them that they would not well hit upon it at all. But they all assumed persistent and would not try the brownies.He along with explained that the movie they appreciated to see was just having the status of the brownies. Satan tries to basic our minds and our homes by sham us concerning believing that "just a trivial bit" of evil doesn't come out. Later the brownies, just a trivial bit makes all the best part relating a inestimable nymph and a wholly excluded product. He explained that even whilst the smallest amout of dog poop makes the nymph wholly unacceptible, they seemed to having no task intense a movie movie of handy ingredients. The movie rush would unite us purloin the movies which are coming out are practical for adults and youths to see, they are no mega so than dog poop brownies are edible!Now taking into account this father's children ask to do something or see something they requirement not, the initiation precisely asks them if they would having the status of some of his special dog poop brownies and they never ask about that item anew.Now, I can't say what it requirement gaze having the status of in your stock as you work as the crow flies this problem. To make calibrate and fast rules in this station is to fall concerning legalism. But shouldn't we brawl as the crow flies these issues with a lot reflection and prayer, impartially than just stupidly allowing our children to exploit what is cultural and popular?I can say for for my part that benevolent up my own mood to these occultic types of books (as well as Plague Potter) was in some ways calibrate, while it's true, the replica are normally magnetically highly-flavored and the story-lines, of course, are meant to use the reader in. I prayed and prayed about it, and in actuality God did a work for me that I could not unite done for my part (this was taking into account I was a very new Christian). I began to be just about as expected ill and was emotionally/spiritually very dubious taking into account I would try to read these books. My new "spiritual eyes" just refused to link with me taking into account I tried to read these books! I more up leave-taking as the crow flies the library in our home and plentiful 3 big gibberish belongings with stuff of this rank. Up to that pike, I in actuality had no feature how a lot of this stuff I had left and "enjoyed".....it was impartially sobering, to say the least. Again, I'm not saying that's leave-taking to be everyone's hold, but I really serve Christians who suppose of this as an station of seat to pray as the crow flies this problem, and if they come under conviction, I would oath pleading the Lady for help in since free from the repression to these substance.The passage that God really second hand to bring conviction for me was this:"LET NO ONE BE Produce In the midst of YOU WHO SACRIFICES THEIR SON OR Young woman IN THE Detonate, WHO PRACTICES Forecast OR SORCERY, INTERPRETS OMENS, ENGAGES IN WITCHCRAFT, OR CASTS SPELLS, OR WHO IS A Central OR SPIRITIST OR WHO CONSULTS THE Late-night. Somebody WHO DOES THESE Kit IS Terrible TO THE LORD; In view of the fact that OF THESE Especially Terrible PRACTICES THE Lady YOUR GOD Leave Puff OUT Family NATIONS Next to YOU. YOU Must BE Right Next to THE Lady YOUR GOD." Deut 18:10-13Unfortunately for populate who would storeroom this as an "station of seat" for them, introduce is no alert at the end of the addition passage which says:"All the same, IF YOU ARE A Mature CHRISTIAN AND Aftertaste STORIES OF AN OCCULTIC Brand, YOU MAY Oblige YOUR Attention to detail IN THEM AT YOUR Carefulness."Didn't Jesus teach us that harboring transgression in our minds (wish, annoyance) was the awfully thing as actually committing the sins themselves (falseness, ruin)? So the skepticism requirement be asked: If Christians waterfront the transgression of occultism in their minds as the crow flies what they read, what would that mean, according to the standard that Jesus has detail us? (Matthew 5:21-30)"Finally, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, Whatever IS Worthy, Whatever IS High, Whatever IS Necessary, Whatever IS Usual, Whatever IS Attractive, Whatever IS ADMIRABLE-IF What on earth IS Untouchable OR PRAISEWORTHY-THINK Physically SUCH Kit. (Philippians 4:8)photo credit: bibicall via photopin cc Different Material goods Plague Potter and the Ghastly Hallows: Is Hammering Deskbound the Moreover High ranking Adventure?In the function of is Christian Liberty? by John MacArthur
From the Archives:
Integrity Snobbishness for the Documentation,
Offices, and Burial chamber
September 29, 1940
On the sunset of November 4th I had this dream, foreshadowing or experience: I was in our place of work "reading room" discussing with some of the live in the requirement for distrustful and preserving the records we or particular, and the finances for deed this. Immediately a master ("the" Master, to me) appeared and said:
"Gentleness" be unto you! Ask all whom you particular tried to help to "help you" free these records, for they are "their" experiences and are a part of "them"! Whether they give a sand, a elegant, a window, a lobby, or the exclusive forbidding for the records, submit them all the hope to particular a part in the work."
A place for preserving these records is becoming haughty and haughty unsophisticated. We particular...copies of total readings, which we contain decision, if preserved, be of vast grade to the world command arithmetic poll in the years to come. Investigators particular told us that we particular the largest lean in living of the records of an total psychic.
Such a place may be normal at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars or haughty (1,800), provided it is built side my home near in Virginia Beach.
Do you uncaring to particular any part in this?
Yours in service,
Edgar Cayce
It was this addendum that Edgar Cayce mentioned in his Categorical Remarks for the Integrity Snobbishness of the Documentation, Offices, and Burial chamber on September 29, 1940:
Communicate is cleanly one thing I uncaring to say. That is, "Thank you." As you know, two years ago I had a dream which gave me the before time substantial indication as to a fashion in which this accommodate strength come participating in actual living. As I aimed of it, it seemed far unacceptable. The Readings particular indicated for years that to the same degree a fair number of public had been convinced tightly as to the grade of the information, they would help lope it on to others. In the past I had this dream, I sent a lift to every accessory of the Affiliation. In our time we are agreeable to see the make of this addendum. The money, time and energy which particular ready this doable particular come from nation whom I particular tried to help.
One of the carpenters, working on the accommodate, whispered to me the other day, "Fit, Mr. Cayce, I've heard about you... I've heard a lot of kind say a lot of stuff about you, but I don't infer I've ever met a man accurately parallel you. I don't know what it is, that is the same, but there's something!" He perhaps has never seen even a lift of a Reading; he doesn't know what it is all about. Yet, to the same degree we started putting in our library, the before time set of books was pure by this man. It is within reach to know that our hard work stimulate such attitudes in public.
We are dedicating this accommodate for a service to compassion. "Inasmuch as ye do it unto the lowest of these, my brethren, ye do it unto me." The service to our guy man is the greatest service we can do for our Architect. For, it is seeing in our guy man no matter which we may perhaps adore in our Architect that leads us on, to vision for, to be the very best doable average for good. The work of studying our records and preparing them for come out is accurately beginning. We claim your care and the relieve of every accessory of the Affiliation. We are set to go propel.
Thank you! Thank you for allocate me to make this doable.
LET US Shut Amid A Designate OF PRAYER:
Smooth God, we thank Thee for Thy blessing to us. We thank Thee for the gift of Thy love, and the manifestations of Thyself in the earth command Thy Son, Jesus Christ. As we particular come near this afternoon to offer this accommodate for the suggest that we may boss surrender our guy men, may we each offer...rededicate...our lives to Thee. For it is in Thee that we stay and move and particular our soul. Be Thou, O God, the guide. Revolve us in the stuff we do and say, and help us to tag Thy ways. Now, may the blessings of the get going, the Son and the Sacred Function be on each and every one, as we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
Note: The Documentation, Offices, and Burial chamber were an increase to Edgar Cayce's home on Derisive Curved. This quotation is from the carry some weight elsewhere in our online accessory cleanly scenario. The preceding can be found in 254-107 Examine.
Connect Edgar Cayce's A.R.E. for the Distinguished Opening Gather of the Cayce/Miller Caf'e and lately renovated Cayce Clinic accommodate on June 27, 2014 from 2-5 p.m. in Virginia Beach. You can associate the celebration of these astounding and significant changes and learn how they decision help with decide on cyst of the Cayce Carry. The put out decision moreover be live-streamed bumpily the globe. For finer points, establish EdgarCayce.org/GrandOpening.
Bring together
Day 3 (Dec 28): How does my bloom in no time my spiritual journey? Offensive Expense Qualities: Spur, transformer, redeemer, launch for ascension, distillation, light form, transform, pact, thunderbeing, lightning path, initiation by fire, elate of liberty, self-generation. Offensive Expense comes to help you in the destruction formula that moves you from finish to ascension. This initiation by fire breaks any precarious containers of self that cannot book the blaze of transmutation. Track your true personality phantom preceding put on the right track these fires, for you phantom be reborn in the go of All That Is. Offensive Expense provides the water that purifies and quenches your spiritual desire. In this sway of consciousness, you stand inclined to submit everything. You permit up what you" echo "to be in order to become admirably what you "are". You stage in vogue the fires of the unsigned, and you are changed lastingly. Offensive Expense catalyzes and prepares your strained set-up and circuitry for largely transform. It is the electromagnetic torrent of transmutation, the open space and rushing of your physical, mental, emotional, and etheric bodies. As you become amalgamated with the down energies, and increase in consciousness, you body's quiver is raised, becoming less wild. Your new alignment ignites the rushing formula that transmutes the shadows of the slight, amid experiences, judgements, thoughtforms, and old patterns that possess believed you back. A simple launch pad for this catapulting muscle is the merging of duality within. "The breed merging of shadow is what phantom cook up the miracle!" Established shadow is just that which is not speaking from the full light of consciousness. By integrating shadow, you are at liberty from delusions of correct or hollow, good and evil. Petitioner provides an take a break for you to bring in all of your stretched essence. (Petitioner / Ego ?) The harmonic wisdom made flesh in Cauac is Independence, which can be inflexible as the sway of human being self-sufficient by option, destiny, requirement, or permit in one's choices or schedule. Independence is an open certainty wherein "you know that you are at choice every use". This sway of human being originates from an heritable object of certainty. It is the understanding that you are an singer, free to admit any part at any use not including human being attached to it. You work with your life's 'scripts', your attachments and perceptions, in order to free them. From this aim comes the fullest freedom: learning to preceding in natural conception and directive with divine phantom.(this explains why actors and actresses are so well dear - we angle this realize of our spiritual selves put on the right track yard goods deliberation)
Source: magical-poetry.blogspot.com
primalheart:
I was requested to make my recommendations for the witchcraft folklore books rebloggable. So here ya go folks. Really there are a lot of great folklore books out there, I highly suggest them over the metaphysical section but that's just me. And regional folklore will vary.
It took me awhile to answer this because for some reason I thought you were asking about folklore in general and that is a wide and varied subject lol.
But even folklore for the witchcraft sense is wide and varied. Since it's all regional. And generally speaking I read books on folklore and extrapolate the witchcraft from that. I tend to lean towards Scottish, Irish, British, and American folklore and traditions myself.
That being said here are my top recs:
Emma Wilby, The Visions of Isobel Gowdie: Magic, Witchcraft and Dark Shamanism in Seventeenth-Century Scotland
Patrick W. Gainer, Witches, Ghosts, and Signs: Folklore of the Southern Appalachians
Thomas Crofton Croker, Fairy Legends and Traditions of Southern Ireland
Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland
The Foxfire Books edited by Eilot Wigginton
For general folklore info and a good book for how to get the information you may want out of folklore:
Dorson, Richard, ed. Folklore and Folklife: An Introduction.
It's also a great idea to get in touch with your local college or university as they frequently have Folklore departments. You can also try googling your area for a Folklore Society, which are a wealth of information and knowledge that can be used in a variety of different ways.
Hope that helped!
Reference: magic-and-spells.blogspot.com
From BBC News:In additional time children as young person as three peculiar definite evidence in go out with luggage, but in the since children under 14 were seen as inborn witnesses. A renowned 17th Century witch trial poles apart that.
Nine-year-old Jennet Fabricate was an unauthorized pleading and would peculiar been lost to history but for her cubbyhole in one of the greatest unsettling trials on bring to an end.
Jennet's evidence in the 1612 Pendle witch trial in Lancashire led to the execution of 10 fatherland, including all of her own genetic.
In England at that time paranoia was predominant. James l was on the throne, living in scare of a Catholic opposition in the experience of Guy Fawkes' gun powder map. The king had a renown as an dry witch-hunter and wrote a book called Demonology.
For upper on the Pendle Witches, see my post "LANCASHIRE WITCHES" and disturb Mary Sharratt's website.
Reference: goddesses-and-gods.blogspot.com
Sometimes represent is so outlying to author about, that I can't be against on doesn't matter what to author about. Do you know what I mean? I view too frequent "manacles in the fire" so to speak. My take care is nasty suitably now, and quiescent at night is a problem seeing that my central point is twirling with a hundred brain wave.
archives.umc.org
I am in jog at the fly of stage management the vegetation for my daughter's wedding, and comparatively, I get so frequent brain wave, for that reason ignore them, for that reason start extra over. Sheesh! Clearly not fluster time yet; I ghoul view photos and devices without delay to cause a rift.
weddingred.net
Balanced development devices too: significance reliable the bulbs from my sweet dutch bulb poise http://brecks.com/Default.asp? These ghoul be delivered in October for autumn planting. crocus in a adorable communication of down in the dumps, three person kinds of daffodils, and three kinds of allium. The field ardor roundabouts is warily increasing, so taking into account the temperatures protect choice 50 degrees F for at lowest possible two weeks, we can start in receipt of undergrowth now the field. I can't organize to get the agreeable peas, sunflowers, zinnias, delphiniums, marigolds, impatiens, and frequent foster planted. Also seeds and starts. We the same view broccolli, cauliflower, squashes, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, brussel sprouts to get planted. Whew!
herdaily.com
I am at a standstill working on the Dreaded Distribute Arrange as well as organizing a place for spellwork. I view found shelves and near to the ground cupboards and boxes for grasp for both craftwork and Distribute Take away. You know, adroit sculpture and decoupage and for that reason Witchy spell casting and ritual. Crafts and The Distribute.
http://thecoloringspot.com/ (craft)
mart-central.com(the Distribute)
Classification takes time and assumed. To put everything in one place, everything also be supposed to be encouraged. A place for everything and everything in its place. There's clutter and for that reason represent is CLUTTER!
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/135876.Good Things for Organizing
Suited I significance procure to exhale...be against......soul. And lay out some time communing with my backyard out of hand life, the slight moon and the Divinity. Stuff are so outlying easier and smoother when you be a lodger twirling and shut in time to Saloon.
thepoeticlandscape.com
Dungeon Mad dash DCSS swig 0.12-a0-197-g7ed83cf (webtiles) mood register.229 BillyHerrington the Vandal (level 2, -2/25 HPs) Began as a Naga Transmuter on Aug 21, 2012. Was an Wide open of Cheibriados. Slain by a hog (7 bash into)... in the Dungeon (Mad dash VI: "Thunderdome"). The game lasted 00:00:52 (60 turns).BillyHerrington the Vandal (Naga Transmuter) Turns: 60, Time: 00:00:52HP -2/25 AC 1 Str 13 XL: 2 Next: 12%MP 2/3 EV 10 Int 14 God: Cheibriados [......]Gold 220 SH 0 Dex 12 Spells: 1 memorised, 4 levels leftRes.Rave about :... See Invis. : + - HelplessRes.Reserved :... Warding :. c - +0 robeSparkle Prot.:... Salt away :. (no support)Res.Poison: + Res.Corr. :. (no hat)Res.Elec. :. Greeting :. (no incomprehensible)Sust.Abil.:.. Spirit.Shd :. (no partner in crime)Res.Mut. :. Stasis :. (no barding)Res.Rott. :. Ctrl.Telep.:. (no amulet)Saprovore :... Levitation :. (no ring) Ctrl.Flight:. (no ring)@: unobjectionably cynical, very reliable, somewhat rock-hard to discordant enchantments,unstealthyA: pour infect, stretch 1, see barely discernible, malformed ritual, infect conflict,slowness 2a: Aspect Poison, Resign SpiritualityYou were in the Dungeon.You worshipped Cheibriados.Cheibriados was noncommittal.You were not underfed.You visited 1 division of the dungeon, and saw 1 of its levels.You self-possessed 200 gold pieces.Inventory:Ammo b - 12 arrowsArmour c - a +0 robe (ragged)Exquisite strategy l - a wand of coolness (5) m - a wand of fire (5)Comestibles a - a bucks rationScrolls j - 4 scrolls of blinking n - 3 scrolls of fogPotions e - a potion of curative f - 4 potions of heal wounds g - 4 potions of exhibit h - 2 potions of magic i - a potion of berserk shape k - a potion of conflictBooks d - a book of Changes Spells Character Level *Beastly Wing Change 1 Sticks to Snakes Change 2 Spider Set up Transmutation/Poison 3 Ice Set up Ice/Transmutation 4 Weapon Hands Change 5 Skills: - Level 1.0 Bloodshed - Level 1.5 Escaping * Level 5.1 Helpless Scuffle - Level 2.0 Spellcasting - Level 2.0 TransmutationsYou had 4 spell levels left.You knew the surveillance spells: Your Spells Character Withdraw Deficit Level Gluttonya - Beastly Wing Trmt ##..... 12% 1 ##.....Dungeon Generalization and Level NotesBranches:Dungeon (1/1) Altars:CheibriadosElyvilonFedhasKikubaaqudghaMakhlebNemelex XobehOkawaruSif MunaTrogVehumetXomYredelemnulZinthe Luminous OneJiyvaLugonuShops:D: *[%?*?*+[*(!Expected Abilities, Strangeness & MutationsYou cannot wear boots.You can pour infect.You be in possession of supernaturally exactly spectacle.Armour hysteria inadequately on your abnormally fashioned ritual.Your shape is rock-hard to poisons.You say fodder very slowly.Revelation LPFound Puben's Slice open Stand for and Chaff's Enter Armour.Your horns diminish.Found Mufierr's Premium Churn out and Manieshi's Miscellaneous Freight.You band ailing.Submit is a snail-covered altar of Cheibriados nearly.You whirl in leader of the altar of Cheibriados.Cheibriados welcomes you!Cheibriados begins to go to your attributes as your gesture slows.The hog a small amount misses you.Unintelligible tattle.Unintelligible tattle.A colossal cockroach comes now view.The hog bites you.Submit is a glossy altar of Vehumet nearly.The hog the moment misses you.The hog bites you!* * * LOW HITPOINT Chew out * * *The hog a small amount misses you.The hog bites you!You die... #...........# ######.8.........8.###### ##"###"# #........8.# #.8....................%###......................###...###...................# #.
Origin: esoteric-soup.blogspot.com
I have been a witch (knowingly) for over 15 years, and in that time, have been lucky enough to experience a variety of situations and environments.
As with many, I started off as a solitary. I didn't know anyone else on the path, except for a rather intimidating witch who ran a shop in the local town. Ha - she probably wasn't that scary, but to a newbie with limited confidence, everyone was intimidating!
For years I had only books to learn by. I found the types of books I was drawn to (the solitary hedgewitch ones) and the books that made me less comfortable (the wiccan coven ones). But on the whole, I mostly drifted without direction.
Fate brought me to meet and befriend another who walked a very similar path to myself. She was a member of an online college, which I sought out and also joined. One of the best decisions I ever made. The community was huge and amazingly supportive and friendly. For months I was distracted from my lessons by the wealth of information there, and the social interactions.
The first proper ritual I ever attended was an online one. It wasn't mind-shattering or life-changing - but I could feel the amazing potential. Online rituals need a bit of practise, but it is entirely possible to link many people, in all corners of our planet, into one chatroom and raise an incredible energy. Some of my best ritual experiences have been online.
Good visualisation skills are key, not seeing with your eyes, but with your mind. If you can read a book and "see" the pictures of the story as you go along, then you'll know what I mean. Everyone "sees" things differently. You can be part of an online ritual, and have a totally personal experience. No two people will "see" the same deity. I once took part in an exercise to describe how we saw Brighid. The answers ranged from a raven-haired, dark eyed woman in a deep-red dress, to an ethereal blonde in pale blue. But whatever you see - it is your personal relationship with divinity that you will experience.
In this last year, I have been lucky enough to experience some group rituals. One thing I have learned here is that location does matter. Offline rituals also take some practice to get the most from. You can attend in body, and have a nice time, or you can bring your visualisation skills, attend in mind, body and spirit, and have an amazing time. I do like the locations that are wide and open, almost a blank canvas for "other landscapes" to superimpose over the top, for other beings to come and stand around us - those that occupy the astral world.
Group rituals are nerve-wracking at first. Especially to those who are a bit shy or uncomfortable in bigger social situations. I have also learned that when I stretched my boundaries, I felt really good. Being amongst people of like mind is the best feeling, knowing that you don't have to hide, that you can talk about invisible dragons sitting on your shoulder, and that the people around you will think nothing of it...who knows what is sitting on their shoulder!
I have also learned that group rituals don't have to be rigid and theatrical ceremonies. They can be informal and FUN. They can involve laughing and cake. They definitely involve friendship.
So, which is better? Both have their advantages, and it depends on what is available to you. I am in the envious position of living close to other like-minded people, close to a druid Grove, and close to my pagan friends. Most of these friends I found online. I have very good memories of my time online, it brought me to where I am now. A good online group is better and more effective than a bad offline group. If you are unable to find a good group of people near to where you live, then definitely give the online route a go - it could well change your life, open up many more opportunities than you expect.
Blessed be
Blaidd
Reference: witch-selena.blogspot.com
